Last month I had a fabulous trip to Damascus. I went there for business, attended official meetings and did lots of public engagements (lectures, press conferences and media activities), but I also had an excellent time with my family, friends and the vibrant cultural scene there.
Because I was accompanying some visiting US Congressmen and Senators (with their families), I also spent a relatively long time going around the old town in Damascus – my favorite place in the world. I accompanied them to places as varied as the ancient Jewish synagogue in Jubar and the holy Shiite Shrine of Sett-Zeinab.
While in Damascus, I had the opportunity to attend the art exhibition of Rima Salmoun at the Art House gallery, visit the new studio of Ahmad Mualla and attend a concert of the Syrian Philharmonic Orchestra (works by Rossini and Tchaicovsky were presented, but I have to admit that I was not impressed).
I also joined the Syrian charity BASMA in a press conference to advocate the cause of children with cancer in Syria. The only event that I regret to have missed was an evening with the renowned Syrian poet Nazih abu-Afash. The reason was simply: total exhaustion.
One downside to this visit though: I intensely missed Sidra and Rafif. A separation that lasted for a fortnight proved to be more than what I was prepared to withstand.
